Lies and Deceit Quotes in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

How we cite our quotes: (chapter.paragraph)

Quote #1

"What he meant, I am sure, is that he had been under an enchantment that had now lifted, though I daresay he did not dare use those precise words for fear of being thought insane. When they heard what he was saying, however, the villagers guessed that Merope had lied to Tom Riddle, pretending that she was going to have his baby, and that he had married her for this reason." (10.175)

If you were in Merope's place, would you have practiced magic on Tom Riddle, Sr. in order to get him to love you? Is all magic a form of deception, or are there ways of using magic that is honorable and honest in the world of Harry Potter? In order to find love and comfort, Merope resorts to deception. What does that tell us about her life?

Quote #2

He pulled the old copy of Advanced Potion-Making out of his bag and tapped the cover with his wand, muttering "Diffindo!" The cover fell off. He did the same thing with the brand-new book (Hermione looked scandalized). He then swapped the covers, tapped each, and said, "Reparo!" (11.21)

Do you think Harry is being dreadfully dishonest by keeping and using the Half-Blood Prince's textbook? If you were him, would you have done the same thing? Though he likes coasting through a difficult class, it doesn't seem to us like Harry keeps the textbook for the sole purpose of getting good grades. He seems to be more drawn to the kind of magic found inside and to the information that the textbook provides. He is a wizard, one who has fought the Dark Lord before and will likely fight him again, and, therefore, he needs all the help he can get to hone his skills. Still, should he have turned that textbook in to Slughorn? We later learn that had he done so, he might have given Dumbledore a big clue about Snape.

Quote #3

"They probably want to look as though they're doing something," said Hermione, frowning. "People are terrified – you know the Patil twins' parents want them to go home? And Eloise Midgen has already been withdrawn. Her father picked her up last night." (11.36)

Hogwarts is not the same. It's no longer the haven it once was. It is no longer the safest place for young wizards and witches. This makes us feel a little queasy in our stomachs. If Hogwarts isn't safe, where is? Then again, in spite of it being a school, Hogwarts carries a lot of important and ancient magic within its walls. It's a powerful place. Dumbledore remained at Hogwarts, even refusing the opportunity to become the Minister of Magic three times. Voldemort tried twice to become a teacher at Hogwarts. There is something super powerful about this school. What big secrets or magical things have we discovered over the course of the Harry Potter series that had been buried or hidden within the school?